In the final week of 2009 a lot of news attention was directed toward remembering the Asian Tsunami.  Images of December 26th, 2004 were replayed and compared with images of today – reshaped coastlines, reconstructed housing, rebuilt lives.  As we review our memories of how the 2004 Tsunami touched us, we think of the unprecedented outpouring of gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering for Tsunami relief and the opportunity to serve tsunami victims in India through three of our India partners, Kodaikanal International School, Abundant Life Ministerial Associates (ALMA) and the Telugu Baptist churches, involving immediate relief and food supplies, fishing nets, goats, and both temporary and permanent housing projects.

This past weekend, David and I took a stroll down the city of Chennai’s Marina Beach – a stretch of coast inundated by the waters of the Tsunami.  As we walked beyond the public boardwalk area to the fishing community on the south end of the beach, the sound of construction caught our attention over the sound of the surf.  Looking closer, we saw rows of housing sheds being assembled.  They looked very much like the temporary structures that were put up immediately following the tsunami, only being assembled of slightly more permanent materials – metal poles, cement floors, dry wall sheeting and corrugated tin roofs.  Reconstruction is not complete, but continues in the city of Chennai, on the eastern coast of south India.  

About hundred miles north of Chennai, International Ministries has just started its final housing construction project for victims of the 2004 Tsunami in partnership with ALMA.  The village of Busagudapallam is home for 46 families.  One section of the village is made up of 24 Yanadi tribal families, whose primary livelihood is fishing.  Shortly after the tsunami they were promised new houses by a government/NGO collaborative project.  The foundations for homes were laid, and even partial walls raised on a couple houses, but then the project halted.  Weeds now grow out of these structures, emphasizing the empty promises and discouragement.  Yet a few of the residents of Busagudapallam did not lose hope.  

Kruppayah, and his wife, Kruppamma, became believers in Jesus Christ through the love and witness of the ALMA ministry to the Yanadi people.  They have been trained by ALMA and now lead a church in their village with 14 members.  These believers have been praying for the completion of the sturdy houses for their village – and now we have the opportunity to be a part of God’s answer to their prayers!  The remaining balance of the Tsunami relief grant sent from International Ministries and OGHS in 2005 is just enough to cover construction of 20 houses.  We visited Busagudapallam shortly before Christmas to assure them of our commitment to build their homes.  Kruppayah and his church have continued to pray for the 4 families that might be left out – and God is answering those prayers, too.  In a recent skype call, we shared the story of our visit to Busagudapallam with those gathered for Sunday worship at Avoca Baptist Church in Avoca, Indiana.  A New Year greeting to us from Pastor Kyle brought with it the news that they had raised $2000 for the construction of one more house!  The followers of Jesus Christ in Busagudapallam are confident and testify of their faith:  God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble! (Ps.46:1)  . . . And continue to pray for God’s provision for the 3 remaining homes and a small community center.  

Watch for photos of construction coming soon!